The NFL Draft

[DMBZeppelin]

Saw this on the NFL draft section of ESPN Insider. Mel Kiper list his top 5 players at each position The NFL draft's top talent

For those who don't have insider:

Quarterbacks
1. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
2. Cam Newton, Auburn
3. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
4. Jake Locker, Washington
5. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

Analysis: Gabbert clearly has been the story of the last couple of months, with a meteoric rise among scouts and personnel people. Nobody will be under a greater microscope at the NFL combine. Some see a remote chance that just one or two of these guys will go in the top 35 picks. My guess would be more, although it's worth noting that Kaepernick is a tier below the top four. He's still very much a project at this point.

Running Backs
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama
2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois
3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
4. Jordan Todman, Connecticut
5. Shane Vereen, California

Analysis: Ingram would be the top running back choice among most teams if the draft were held today. But after a year that saw him lose production from his Heisman season, and deal with some dings, he's not a runaway. Keep an eye on Leshoure, who can run well and push to be the first back taken.

Fullbacks
1. Owen Marecic, Stanford
2. Charles Clay, Tulsa
3. Stanley Havili, USC
4. Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh
5. Shaun Chapas, Georgia

Analysis: Havili is the more all-purpose guy, mostly because he has great hands as a receiver and could almost be used like a tight end sometimes. Marecic, however, gets great marks for toughness and smarts. This is a guy who started on defense for much of the year as well.

Wide Receivers
1. A.J. Green, Georgia
2. Julio Jones, Alabama
3. Torrey Smith, Maryland
4. Leonard Hankerson, Miami
5. Cecil Shorts, Mount Union

Analysis: It's a credit to Jones that there's not a more massive gap between Green and the field as a whole. Green has the skill set of a No. 1 overall pick, but there's some good talent behind him. I can imagine Jones sliding into the top 12, and Smith and Hankerson (pictured) have Round 1 talent.

Tight Ends
1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
2. D.J. Williams, Arkansas
3. Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
4. Luke Stocker, Tennessee
5. Weslye Saunders, South Carolina

Analysis: It's not an extremely deep year at the position, and I don't currently have any of these guys pegged as a likely first-rounder, but there's some talent. Rudolph is the most complete in terms of pass-catching skills. Kendricks has solid lineage in Madison, and Saunders is a wild card. He's really talented, but has character questions to answer.

Offensive Tackles
1. Nate Solder, Colorado
2. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
3. Tyron Smith, USC
4. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
5. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi

Analysis: Nate Solder has shined so far during the workout process and has a shot to move his way toward the top 10. After that, you have five guys that all could concievably go within the first round, but not one has what scouts would call a profile without any questions. Plenty of chance for movement among this list.

Guards
1. Rodney Hudson, Florida State
2. Will Rackley, Lehigh
3. Danny Watkin, Baylor
4. Clint Bolin, Georgia
5. John Moffitt, Wisconsin

Analysis: I really like Hudson's mobility and athleticism. He's not a huge guy, but he doesn't have to be. Guards never go terribly high at the draft, and only Hudson might crack the first round, but this is a solid unit, and each of them has an NFL future. The only real question for me on Hudson is size.

Centers
1. Mike Pouncey, Florida
2. Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State
3. Kristofer O'Dowd, USC
4. Kevin Kowalski, Toledo
5. Alex Linnenkohl, Oregon State

Analysis: Pouncey is lumped in with the centers, because I imagine he could get a look there sooner, in no small part due to the brilliant season turned in by his brother at Pittsburgh. It's amazing to see O'Dowd (pictured) finally here, as it feels as though he's been with USC forever.

Defensive Ends
1. Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
2. Robert Quinn, North Carolina
3. Cameron Jordan, California
4. Aldon Smith, Missouri
5. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue

Analysis: All five of these guys could be gone before pick No. 20. Bowers is a legit option as a No. 1 overall pick. It's a battle between him and Nick Fairley at this stage. Quinn will need to be good during workouts after a full year off. Kerrigan is relentless and Smith is the late guy on this list. He surprised me somewhat with his jump to the NFL, and I see him as a DE, where others might have him at OLB.

Defensive Tackles
1. Nick Fairley, Auburn
2. Marcell Dareus, Alabama
3. Muhammed Wilkerson, Temple
4. Drake Nevis, LSU
5. Corey Liuget, Illinois

Analysis: Nick Fairley is the top overall pick in my first mock draft. Relentless, explosive and with a mean streak, he reminds of a young Albert Haynesworth. Ideally, he's in a 4-3, but it's not like a player with his penetrating ability couldn't handle a move to the 3-4 at defensive end.

Inside Linebackers
1. Martez Wilson, Illinois
2. Nate Irving, North Carolina State
3. Greg Jones, Michigan State
4. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
5. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina

Analysis: Jones was one of the best tacklers in college football, but this isn't yet what I'd call an elite class. There isn't a Rolando McClain among these guys, a player who seems destined to go very high. But that often happens with inside 'backers. Sturdivant could jump during the testing process.

Outside Linebackers
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M
2. Akeem Ayers, UCLA
3. Justin Houston, Georgia
4. Dontay Moch, Nevada
5. Bruce Carter, North Carolina

Analysis: The first three names on this list project as top-20 draft picks, while Moch will still have some scouts in the discovery process when he begins his workouts. Carter is a guy everyone knows about, but coming off a serious knee injury, he has a little ground to make up.

Cornerbacks
1. Patrick Peterson, LSU
2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
3. Jimmy Smith, Colorado
4. Aaron Williams, Texas
5. Brandon Harris, Miami

Analysis: On one hand, you have the overall athleticism of Peterson, a guy who has the size of a running back or strong safety, but plays corner with the speed of a player 50 pounds lighter. On the other hand, you have the refined technical skills of Amukamara (pictured), who is ready to start at the NFL level. Can't go wrong with either.

Safeties
1. Rahim Moore, UCLA
2. Robert Sands, West Virginia
3. Kenny Tate, Maryland
4. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
5. Ahmad Black, Florida

Analysis: It's not a really great year for top-level safeties. Moore is the only guy I'd say is very likely to go in the first round. He's a solid ballhawk who added some physicality to his game after playing more center field as a sophomore. McDaniel (pictured) is a good player, but didn't jump off the screen this year.

Kickers
1. Alex Henery, Nebraska
2. Kai Forbath, UCLA
3. Dan Bailey, Oklahoma State
4. David Ruffer, Notre Dame
5. Wes Byrum, Auburn

Analysis: A few guys here that may get drafted, which you can't say from every class. Henery probably has the strongest overall leg, but Forbath has proved his mettle as a guy who can hammer kicks from distance.

Punters
1. Ryan Donahue, Iowa
2. Trevor Hankins, Arizona State
3. Derek Epperson, Baylor
4. Reid Forrest, Washington State
5. Travis Baltz, Maryland

Analysis: All of these guys have the potential to kick in the NFL one day, but will just need to find the right fit. Some different skills, between bombers, or great placement punters.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[dmbmuskie]

It's weird seeing no Buckeyes on there. I still think Hayward will have a solid NFL career if he lands in the right place, but he cost himself millions by going back to school.

I think Newton's has to sell the media, who will in turn sell the fanbases, on his skills and character as much as the teams.

[Jake]

I'm still surprised that Gabbert gets so much love.

[Beebz]

Originally Posted by Jake

I'm still surprised that Gabbert gets so much love.

This x sideways 8.

[emu513]

Originally Posted by dmbmuskie

It's weird seeing no Buckeyes on there. I still think Hayward will have a solid NFL career if he lands in the right place, but he cost himself millions by going back to school.

Really? I think he ends up landing in the first round. He's the perfect 3-4 end.

[emu513]

Originally Posted by Jake

I'm still surprised that Gabbert gets so much love.

Originally Posted by bbianca1982

This x sideways 8.

Yup. I do not get it. The NFL always blows my mind by constantly drafting QBs high that aren't very good in college.

[dmbmuskie]

Originally Posted by emu513

Really? I think he ends up landing in the first round. He's the perfect 3-4 end.

I agree, and I don't put much stock in what Kiper and company say at this time. It just seems like he went from someone getting talked about as the second best d-lineman in last years draft to someone who is going to be taken in the 20s or 30s. In the long run that might allow him to end up NE, BAL, PIT, or GB which would be the best thing for his career.

[dmbmuskie]

Gabbert has the Alex Smith effect on him. The consensus top QB stayed in college, and now teams are looking for guys they can justfy spending 50 million dollars on.

[emu513]

Yea Heyward got overrated after his performance against Wisconsin last year. He's a bit undersized and not as athletic as some other DL in the draft. But he can bring it. He was the best player in the Sugar Bowl and it wasn't even close.

[dmbmuskie]

Originally Posted by emu513

Yea Heyward got overrated after his performance against Wisconsin last year. He's a bit undersized and not as athletic as some other DL in the draft. But he can bring it. He was the best player in the Sugar Bowl and it wasn't even close.

What do you think of Chekwa? I don't think he's a 1st round guy, but I'm surprised by how low he's ranked by most people. I think he's a starting CB by year 3.

[emu513]

I like him. He's a big physical corner that always seems to be in good position. He may be a bit stiff in the hips and he needs to work on playing the ball better but I think he'll have a long career. There are just a few more athletic CBs in the draft.

I also like Torrence. He's going to stick in the NFL. I don't think I've seen many CBs that can come up and make a play like him.

[dmbmuskie]

I like Torrence too. Again, it's just about him landing in the right place. If he asked to play a lot of man he'll never make it, but he could definitely make an impact on special teams and for teams that play soft zone coverage where tackling is at a premium.

[dmbmuskie]

This probably belongs in the CFB thread, but the Newton/UA thing seems a little shady.

[kittensXLI]

I'd be willing to bet anything the Panthers do not take Bowers.

[kittensXLI]

My Round 1 mock draft (#1) :

Panthers - Nick Fairley
Broncos - Da'Quan Bowers
Bills - Von Miller
Bengals - A.J. Green
Cardinals - Robert Quinn
Browns - Marcell Dareus
49ers - Patrick Peterson
Titans - Blaine Gabbert
Cowboys - Prince Amukamara
Redskins - Cameron Jordan
Texans - Ryan Kerrigan
Vikings - Cam Newton
Lions - Nate Solder
Rams - Julio Jones
Dolphins - Mark Ingram
Jacksonville - Aldon Smith
Patriots - Tyron Smith
Chargers - Corey Liuget
Giants - Akeem Ayers
Buccaneers - Adrian Clayborn
Chiefs - Jonathan Baldwin
Colts - Gabe Carimi
Eagles - Derek Sherrod
Saints - J.J. Watt
Seahawks - Stephen Paea
Ravens - Jimmy Smith
Falcons - Allen Bailey
Patriots - Justin Houston
Bears - Anthony Costanzo
Jets - Cameron Heyward
Steelers - Mike Pouncey
Packers - Brandon Harris

[kittensXLI]

Is anyone else going to do a mock draft?

[DMBZeppelin]

Originally Posted by kittensXLI

Is anyone else going to do a mock draft?

I will post combine. Before that it's just too hard to do a mock IMO.

[MDrums54]

Originally Posted by kittensXLI

Is anyone else going to do a mock draft?

i will once i stop being so damn busy at work. my friends and i usually all throw up $5 and predict the first two rounds worth of picks and whoever gets the most right wins, but i dont have quite as much time on my hands this year as last.

yours looked pretty good - i'm sure the steelers would love to have both pouncey brothers playing next to eachother.

[DMBZeppelin]

I can't believe this is only 5 days away.

Anyone watch the Gruden QB camps this year? Cam Newton failing to remember a single play call was scary.

[Foreverford05]

Tyron Smith or Patrick Peterson please.

[kittensXLI]

My Round 1 mock draft (#2) + Rounds 2 & 3 :

1. Panthers - Marcell Dareus, DT (previously Nick Fairley)
2. Broncos - Da'Quan Bowers, DE
3. Bills - Von Miller, OLB
4. Bengals - A.J. Green, WR
5. Cardinals - Robert Quinn, DE
6. Browns - Nick Fairley, DT (previously Marcell Dareus)
7. 49ers - Patrick Peterson, CB
8. Titans - Blaine Gabbert, QB
9. Cowboys - Prince Amukamara, CB
10. Redskins - J.J. Watt, DE (previously Cameron Jordan)
11. Texans - Ryan Kerrigan, DE
12. Vikings - Cam Newton, QB
13. Lions - Tyron Smith, OT (previously Nate Solder)
14. Rams - Julio Jones, WR
15. Dolphins - Akeem Ayers, OLB (previously Mark Ingram)
16. Jaguars - Cameron Jordan, DE (previously Aldon Smith)
17. Patriots - Gabe Carimi, OT (previously Tyron Smith)
18. Chargers - Aldon Smith, DE (previously Corey Liuget)
19. Giants - Corey Liuget, DT (previously Akeem Ayers)
20. Buccaneers - Adrian Clayborn, DE
21. Chiefs - Anthony Costanzo, OT (previously Jonathan Baldwin)
22. Colts - Nate Solder, OT (previously Gabe Carimi)
23. Eagles - Jimmy Smith, CB (previously Derek Sherrod)
24. Saints - Muhammad Wilkerson, DE (previously J.J. Watt)
25. Seahawks - Cameron Heyward, DE (previously Stephen Paea)
26. Ravens - Brandon Harris, CB (previously Jimmy Smith)
27. Falcons - Kyle Rudolph, TE (previously Allen Bailey)
28. Patriots - Justin Houston, OLB
29. Bears - Derek Sherrod, OT (previously Anthony Costanzo)
30. Jets - Phil Taylor, DT (previously Cameron Heyward)
31. Steelers - Mike Pouncey, OG
32. Packers - Aaron Williams, CB (previously Brandon Harris)

33. Patriots - Mark Ingram, RB
34. Bills - Jake Locker, QB
35. Bengals - Andy Dalton, QB
36. Broncos - Marvin Austin, DT
37. Browns - Randall Cobb, WR
38. Cardinals - Brooks Reed, OLB
39. Titans - Danny Watkins, OG
40. Cowboys - Benjamin Ijalana, OT
41. Redskins - Colin Kaepernick, QB
42. Texans - Stephen Paea, DT
43. Vikings - Christian Ballard, DT
44. Lions - Ras-I Dowling, CB
45. 49ers - Ryan Mallett, QB
46. Broncos - Bruce Carter, OLB
47. Rams - Allen Bailey, DE
48. Raiders - Stefen Wisniewski, C/OG
49. Jaguars - Rahim Moore, S
50. Chargers - Titus Young, WR
51. Buccaneers - Johnny Patrick, CB
52. Giants - Mikel Leshoure, RB
53. Colts - Clint Boling, OG
54. Eagles - Marcus Cannon, OG
55. Chiefs - Jonathan Baldwin, WR
56. Saints - Martez Wilson, ILB
57. Seahawks - Rodney Hudson, OG
58. Ravens - Torrey Smith, WR
59. Falcons - Jerrel Jernigan, WR
60. Patriots - Will Rackley, OG
61. Chargers - Jabaal Sheard, DE
62. Bears - Jurrell Casey, DT
63. Steelers - Marcus Gilbert, OT
64. Packers - James Carpenter, OG

65. Panthers - Christian Ponder, QB
66. Bengals - Daniel Thomas, RB
67. Broncos - Quan Sturdivant, ILB
68. Bills - Orlando Franklin, OT
69. Cardinals - James Brewer, OT
70. Browns - Kenrick Ellis, DT
71. Cowboys - Quinton Carter, S
72. Saints - Mason Foster, OLB
73. Texans - Davon House, CB
74. Patriots - Sam Acho, DE
75. Lions - K.J. Wright, OLB
76. 49ers - Chris Carter, OLB
77. Titans - Jarvis Jenkins, DT
78. Rams - Curtis Brown, CB
79. Dolphins - Ryan Williams, RB
80. Jaguars - Leonard Hankerson, WR
81. Raiders - Brandon Burton, CB
82. Chargers - Jason Pinkston, OT
83. Giants - John Moffitt, OG
84. Buccaneers - Lance Kendricks, TE
85. Eagles - Ricky Stanzi, QB
86. Chiefs - Colin McCarthy, ILB
87. Colts - Tyler Sash, S
88. Saints - Drake Nevis, DT
89. Chargers - Taiwan Jones, RB
90. Ravens - Greg Jones, ILB
91. Falcons - Kendall Hunter, RB
92. Patriots - Kelvin Sheppard, ILB
93. Bears - Tandon Doss, WR
94. Jets - Greg Little, WR
95. Steelers - Casey Matthews, ILB
96. Packers - Terrell McClain, DT
97. Panthers - Luke Stocker, TE

[DMBZeppelin]

Kittens the Bears wouldn't take Sherrod over Pouncey. The OT they love is Carimi, but they are also in love with Pouncey. Tice told him "see you at training camp" and Pouncey has talked about what a special connection him and Tice had. Marvin Austin, Gabe Carimi, Mike Pouncey, and a guy who's name I've yet to find out it 3 of the 4 guys the Bears want at the spot. If none are there they intend to trade down. It's possible the last guy is Sherrod, or that they might take him if they can't trade down. Highly unlikely they'd take him over Pouncey or Austin.

Edit: For what it's worth the Vikings intend to trade down so they can pick Pouncey unless someone like Julio Jones or a QB they like is there.

[jackisback24]

http://twitter.com/#!/RapSheet/status/62611884079202305

[kittensXLI]

Vikes have to want Cam.

[DynastyDrummer1]

Originally Posted by kittensXLI

3. Bills - Von Miller, OLB
34. Bills - Jake Locker, QB
68. Bills - Orlando Franklin, OT

I'd be happy with that...

Originally Posted by jackisback24

http://twitter.com/#!/RapSheet/status/62611884079202305

Bills trade up? From 3? What the hell for?

[kittensXLI]

Someone please post a mock draft. I'm so pumped now after doing one yesterday/last night. Plus with the ruling today, things are heating up. Come on guys.

[Jake]

I won't do a mock, but against my better judgment, I'll post what I consider to be the top talents in the draft. Knowing full-well that the people in my fantasy league will use this against me in our upcoming draft.


1. AJ Green
2. Patrick Peterson
3. Marcell Darius
4. Nick Fairley
5. Mark Ingram
6. Von Miller (also this years Reggie Cleveland award winner)
7. JJ Watt
8. Kyle Rudolph
9. Julio Jones
10.Ryan Kerrigan


just based on talent alone.


best "sleepers" in the draft: Tiawan Jones, Titus Young, Randall Cobb, Vincent Brown, DJ Williams, Alex Green, Casey Matthews

[dmbmuskie]

No way Pouncey lasts to 31. I'm also not sure I'd want him. He's not the player his brother is, IMO, and people in Pittsburgh will expect him to be. I'm also not sold on 2 interior lineman as #1 picks, even if he is the BPA. I know you'll scoff at this, but I'm not sure he would start immediately in Pittsburgh. I think Bronco should start at Center, which means their is a log jam at C/G.

[kittensXLI]

Originally Posted by dmbmuskie

No way Pouncey lasts to 31. I'm also not sure I'd want him. He's not the player his brother is, IMO, and people in Pittsburgh will expect him to be. I'm also not sold on 2 interior lineman as #1 picks, even if he is the BPA. I know you'll scoff at this, but I'm not sure he would start immediately in Pittsburgh. I think Bronco should start at Center, which means their is a log jam at C/G.

There's no doubt he isn't as good as Maurkice. But he's better than every other lineman they have. And I don't trust any of the guys drafted below him to be taken at 31.

Who is Bronco?

[gocubsgo3822]

Kittnes,

no way dequan "no knees' or "i might drop dead like gaines" bowers goes that high